Classical mythology—the stories of gods and heroes ranging from Athena to Zeus—has inspired everything from great art and literature to popular films and TV programs.
This course explores classical mythology’s pantheon of gods and the profound impact mythology has had on Western Civilization. It provides an intellectual and theoretical framework with which to examine the content and purpose of the ancient Greek and Roman myths.
In these lectures, you will explore such topics as mythology’s influence on notions of life, death, and gender roles; its possible origins in prehistoric Greek culture; its impact on such writers as Shakespeare; and its continuing influence on popular culture, from Star Trek to Terminator to UFO sightings.